Listening Beyond the Noise
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
Isa 41:10
With all the noise in our life, sometimes God’s presence is not seen or felt. We look for God among all the chaos of taking care of daily responsibilities, but often fail to detect Him due to incorrect knowledge of Him, unrealistic expectations of His activity in our life, or dependence upon emotional exuberance as a sign of His presence. Ruth Graham writes, “There are times when we cannot ‘feel’ God with us…But at certain times, God gives us a chance to believe His promise regardless of whether our emotions are on board, and His promise is ‘I am with you.’” Being assured the promise of His presence activates courage and strength to turn inwardly toward Him and cultivate an awareness of His presence despite discouragement, anxiety, uncertainties, and the noise of undertaking daily responsibilities. We don’t always “feel” the loving arms and physical comfort of a loved one. However in times of despair, if we direct our mind toward their character, a past experience, or perhaps read a correspondence from them, relief and reassurance rise, fear begins to dissipate and anxiety dwindles while strength, power, and courage erect despite our loved one’s physical absence. Emotionally driven spiritual exuberance is not a measurement of God’s presence and activity in the daily life of the believer in Jesus, the Christ. Therefore, daily practice the response, settle in your heart and mind that regardless of what you feel or what you experience, God is with you. He will strengthen you. He will help you. He will hold you up. He will keep you steady, defend, and care for you with His Victorious hand of Love, Power, and Authority.